[[Image:raisingoflazarus.jpg|right|frame|The Raising of Lazarus]][[Saint]] '''Lazarus''' or '''Lazarus, the Four Days Dead''' was a friend and one of the first disciples of [[Jesus Christ]] and first Bishop of [[Metropolis of Kittium|Kittium]], [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]]. He was resurrected by Jesus the day before His [[Palm Sunday|triumphal entry]] into the city of Jerusalem. The [[Church]] commemorates his feast on [[Lazarus Saturday]], the first day of [[Holy Week]] and, conversely, the eve of [[Palm Sunday]].

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[[Image:raisingoflazarus.jpg|right|frame|The Raising of Lazarus]]

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The [[righteous]] saint '''Lazarus''', also '''Lazarus the Four Days Dead''',<ref group="note">{{el icon}}: Ὁ Ἅγιος Λάζαρος ο Τετραήμερος, Επίσκοπος Κιτίου Κύπρου.</ref> or '''Lazarus of Bethany''' (latinized from the Hebrew: אלעזר, Elʿāzār, [[w:Eleazar|Eleazar]] - ''"God is my help"''<ref>William Barclay. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=s-vdxaBmtTsC&pg=PA92 The Parables of Jesus].'' Westminster John Knox Press, 1999. pp. 92-98. ISBN 0-664-25828-X</ref>) was a friend and one of the first disciples of [[Jesus Christ]], and the first Bishop of [[Metropolis of Kition|Kition]] in [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]].<ref group="note">'''[[w:Kition|Kition]]''' (Ancient Greek: Κίτιον), also known by its Latin name '''Citium''', was a city-kingdom on the southern coast of Cyprus (in present-day Larnaca). It was established in the 13th century BC. On this basis, the whole island became known as '''"[[w:Kittim|Kittim]]"''' in Hebrew, including the [[Septuagint|Hebrew Bible]]. The expression ''"isles of Kittim"'', found in the Book of Jeremiah 2:10 and Ezekiel 27:6, indicates that, some centuries prior to Josephus, this designation had already become a general descriptor for the Mediterranean islands.</ref> He was [[Resurrection|resurrected]] by Jesus shortly before His [[Palm Sunday|triumphal entry]] into the city of [[Jerusalem]].

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The [[Church]] commemorates his feast on [[Lazarus Saturday]],<ref name=ANASTASIS>Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/3027/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ἀνάστασις τοῦ Λαζάρου].'' ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.</ref> which together with [[Palm Sunday]], hold a unique position in the church year as days of joy and triumph between the penitence of [[Great Lent]] and the mourning of [[Holy Week]].<ref>Archimandrite [[Kallistos Ware]] and Mother Mary, (Transl.). ''The Lenten Triodion.'' St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, South Canaan, Pennsylvania, 2002. p. 57. ISBN 1-878997-51-3</ref>

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Lazarus is also commemorated on the fixed feast day of [[March 17]],<ref>Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/2957/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Λάζαρος ὁ Δίκαιος, ὁ φίλος τοῦ Χριστοῦ].'' 17 Μαρτίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.</ref><ref group="note">In the [[Synaxarion]] of Constantinople and in the Lavreotic Codex, reference is made to the "Raising of Lazarus" - the Holy and Just Lazarus, the friend of Christ. This is confirmed in the entry for [[October 17]] in the ''' ''Prologue from Ohrid'' ''', which also mentions that: ''"Lazarus's principle feasts are on '''[[March 17]]''' and '''Lazarus Saturday''' during [[Great Lent]]."''<br>

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:* <small>Bishop [[Nikolai Velimirovic]]. ''[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=October&day=17&Go.x=10&Go.y=20 October 17 - The Prologue from Ohrid].'' (Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western America). Retrieved 2013-04-15.</small></ref> while the [[Translation (relics)|translation]] of his [[relics]] from [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]] to Constantinople in the year 898 AD<ref>''[http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/10/17/102991-translation-of-the-relics-of-st-lazarus-ldquoof-the-four-days-in Translation of the relics of St Lazarus “of the Four Days in the Tomb” the Bishop of Kiteia on Cyprus].'' OCA - Lives of the Saints. Retrieved: 2013-04-17.</ref> is commemorated on [[October 17]].<ref>Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/903/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ἀνακομιδὴ καὶ Κατάθεσις τοῦ Λειψάνου τοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ Δικαίου Λαζάρου].'' 17 Οκτωβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.</ref><ref>Bishop [[Nikolai Velimirovic]]. ''[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=October&day=17&Go.x=10&Go.y=20 October 17 - The Prologue from Ohrid].'' (Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western America). Retrieved 2013-04-15.</ref><ref group="note">"...Under today's date is commemorated the translation of his relics from the island of Cyprus to Constantinople. This occurred when Emperor [[Leo VI the Wise|Leo the Wise]] built the Church of St. Lazarus in [[Constantinople]], and translated Lazarus's relics there in the year 890. When, after almost a thousand years, Lazarus's grave in the town of Kition on Cyprus was unearthed, a marble tablet was found with the inscription: ''"Lazarus of the Four Days, the friend of Christ."''"<br>

According to the [[Gospel of John]], Lazarus lived in the town of Bethany (approximately two miles outside of Jerusalem in the present day West Bank) with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. On His way to Jerusalem before the Passover, the sisters had sent word to Jesus and His [[Apostles]] that Lazarus was ill. The Lord tarried where He was, later perceiving Lazarus' death. When He arrived, Lazarus had already been in his tomb for four days. When Martha reproached Our Lord for not arriving sooner, Christ assured her that Lazarus would rise. Martha mistook this for the universal [[resurrection]] on [[Book of Revelation|Judgment Day]], to which He replied, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26, KJV). In the presence of the mourners, the Lord ordered the stone rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and bade him to come forth. Lazarus did so, still in his grave wrappings. Jesus then called for the crowd to remove the wrappings and free him. St. John goes on to explain that even more Jews were convinced of Jesus' divinity. This event struck fear into the hearts of the Jewish leaders, so much so that they even considered putting Lazarus to death (John 12:9-11). The religious hierarchy of the Jews at this time was dominated by Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. The Raising of Lazarus represents a testimony to the resurrection - both Christ's and the universal resurrection, as well as Our Lord as victor over death.

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According to the [[Gospel of John]], Lazarus lived in the town of Bethany (approximately two miles outside of Jerusalem in the present day West Bank) with his two sisters, [[Mary of Bethany|Mary]] and [[Martha]]. On His way to Jerusalem before the Passover, the sisters had sent word to Jesus and His [[Apostles]] that Lazarus was ill. The Lord tarried where He was, later perceiving Lazarus' death. When He arrived, Lazarus had already been in his tomb for four days. When Martha reproached Our Lord for not arriving sooner, Christ assured her that Lazarus would rise. Martha mistook this for the universal [[resurrection]] on [[Book of Revelation|Judgment Day]], to which He replied, ''"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever believeth in me shall never die"'' (John 11:25-26, KJV).

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According to the V. Rev. [[Presbyter|Fr.]] [[Thomas Hopko]], the Lazarene Miracle is the "climactic high point" of St. John's Gospel and the proof of Christ's divinity. It is also the act which serves as the catalyst of the events leading to Our Lord's arrest and [[Passion]].{{ref|1}}

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In the presence of the mourners, the Lord ordered the stone rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and bade him to come forth. Lazarus did so, still in his grave wrappings. Jesus then called for the crowd to remove the wrappings and free him. St. John goes on to explain that even more Jews were convinced of Jesus' divinity. This event struck fear into the hearts of the Jewish leaders, so much so that they even considered putting Lazarus to death (John 12:9-11). The religious hierarchy of the Jews at this time was dominated by Sadducees, who denied the [[resurrection]]. The Raising of Lazarus represents a testimony to the resurrection - both Christ's and the universal resurrection, as well as Our Lord as victor over death.

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According to the V. Rev. [[Presbyter|Fr.]] [[Thomas Hopko]], the Lazarene Miracle is the "climactic high point" of [[Gospel of John|St. John's Gospel]] and the proof of Christ's divinity. It is also the act which serves as the catalyst of the events leading to Our Lord's arrest and [[Passion]].<ref>[http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt022lazarus_saturday_pc.mp3/ Lazarus Saturday.] ''Speaking the Truth in Love'' Podcast by Fr. [[Thomas Hopko]]. Ancient Faith Radio. 18 April 2008.</ref>

==Later Life==

==Later Life==

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According to Scripture and the tradition of the Cyprian church, Lazarus was compelled to seek refuge away from Jerusalem to avoid the anger of the high priests and the pharisees, who wanted to kill him, ''...the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus'' (John 12:10-11). Many christians too ''... were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about. Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch ...''; just like Stephen, Lazarus would have had to leave Judea to seek refuge in another country.

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===Bishop of Kition===

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According to Scripture and the tradition of the Cypriot church, Lazarus was compelled to seek refuge away from Jerusalem to avoid the anger of the high priests and the pharisees, who wanted to kill him, ''...the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus'' (John 12:10-11). Many Christians too ''... were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about. Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch ...''; just like Stephen, Lazarus would have had to leave Judea to seek refuge in another country. This location was [[Metropolis of Kition|Kition]] in [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]].

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This location was [[Metropolis of Kittium|Kittium]] (today Kittium is called Larnaca) of [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]]. When [[Apostle Paul]] and [[Apostle Barnabas]] travelled to Cyprus, they ordained Lazarus as the first Bishop of Kitium. That is why all episcopal thrones in Larnaca have the icon of St. Lazarus instead of Christ, which is the standard custom of the church.

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When [[Apostle Paul]] and [[Apostle Barnabas]] travelled to Cyprus, they ordained Lazarus as the first Bishop of Kition. This is why all episcopal thrones in Larnaca have the icon of St. Lazarus instead of Christ, which is the standard custom of the church.

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Little more is known about Lazarus after Our Lord's [[Pascha|Resurrection]] and [[Ascension]] except that during his thirty year he never smiled or joked except for one occcassion. One day, he saw someone stealing a clay pot and he laughed saying, "the clay steals the clay".

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Another famous tradition related to Lazarus, is the discovery of [[Mount Athos]] in 52 AD by the Theotokos. Lazarus was very close to the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]] and he was very grieved that he could not return to Jerusalem to visit her (he was still in fear of the Jews). The Theotokos learned of his sorrow and sent him a letter to comfort him. She asked that he might send a ship to her that she might visit him in Cyprus. With great joy, Lazarus sent a ship to the [[Holy Land]] to bring the Virgin Mary and [[John the Theologian|John]], the beloved disciple to Cyprus for a visit. However on their journey, a great storm blew them off course and carried them to the shores of Ephesus and then the ship to the shores of [[Athos]], Greece. Unaware that divine providence had brought her to this area, the Virgin Mary completely taken by the beauty of the area, prayed to her son that this could be her garden devoted to prayer to "fight the good fight of faith". Having converted, blessed and established a new Christian community from the local idolaters they set sail for Cyprus and met with Lazarus.

Further establishing the apostolic nature of Lazarus' appointment, was the tradition that the bishop's [[omophorion]] and [[epimanikia]] were presented to Lazarus by the Virgin Mary, who had woven it herself.<ref group="note">Such apostolic connections were central to the claims to [[autocephaly]] made by the bishops of Kition — subject to the Patriarch of Jerusalem — during the period 325–431.</ref>

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Little more is known about Lazarus after Our Lord's [[Pascha|Resurrection]] and [[Ascension]], except that during his thirty years after his resurrection, he never smiled or joked except on one occasion, recorded in the [[Synaxarion]]. One day, he saw someone stealing a clay pot and he smiled saying, ''"the clay steals the clay"''.<ref name=ANASTASIS/><ref name ="Michaelides">Michaelides, M.G. ''"Saint Lazarus, The Friend Of Christ And First Bishop Of Kition."'' Larnaca, Cyprus, 1984.<br>

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:<small>Reprinted by Fr. Demetrios Serfes (Comp.): ''"[http://www.serfes.org/lives/stlazarus.htm St. Lazarus The Friend Of Christ And First Bishop Of Kition, Cyprus]."''</small></ref>

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Another famous tradition connected to Lazarus is the discovery of [[Mount Athos]] in 52AD. Lazarus was very close to the Virgin Mary and he was very grieved that he could not return to Jerusalem to visit her (he was still in fear of the Jews). The Theotokos learned of his sorrow and sent him a letter to comfort him. She asked that he might send a ship to her that she might visit him in Cyprus. With great joy, Lazarus sent a ship to the [[Holy Lands]] to bring the Virgin Mary and [[John the Theologian|John]], the beloved disciple to Cyprus for a visit. On their journey, a great storm blew them off course and carried them to the shores of Ephesus and then the ship to the shores of [[Athos]], Greece. Unaware that divine providence had brought her to this area, the Virgin Mary completely taken by the beauty of the area, prayed to her son that this could be her garden devoted to prayer to "fight the good fight of faith". Having converted, blessed and established a new christian community from the local idolaters they set sail for Cyprus and met with Lazarus.

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The first [[w:Tomb of Lazarus (al-Eizariya)|tomb of Lazarus in Bethany]] remains as a site for [[pilgrimage|pilgrims]] to this very day.

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It is said, that she had sewn the [[omophorion]] and [[epimanikia]] as a present for Lazarus.

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The second tomb on the island of Cyprus, was found in Kition sometime in 890 AD, with his relics inside, and bearing the inscription: ''"Lazarus, the Friend of Christ."''

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The first tomb of Lazarus in Bethany remains as a site for [[pilgrimage|pilgrims]] to this very day. The second tomb, on the island of Cyprus, was found in Kittium sometime in A.D. 890, with his relics inside and bearing the inscription "Lazarus, the Friend of Christ."

After St. Lazarus' tomb was found in Larnaca in 890 AD, [[Leo VI the Wise|Emperor Leo VI]] of [[Byzantium]] had Lazarus' [[relics|remains]] [[translation (relics)|transferred]] to [[Constantinople]] in 898. The transfer was apostrophized by Arethas, [[w:Caesarea Maritima|Bishop of Caesarea]] (Caesarea Palestinae), and is commemorated by the [[Orthodox Church]] each year on [[October 17]].

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Subsequently a church dedicated to Saint Lazarus has been built on this site.

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In recompense to Larnaca, Emperor Leo had the [[w:Church of Ayios Lazaros, Larnaca|Church of St. Lazarus]] erected over Lazarus' tomb, which still exists today. The marble sarcophagus can be seen inside the church under the Holy of Holies.

After the [[w:Siege of Constantinople (1204)|sacking of Constantinople]] by the Franks during the [[Fourth Crusade]] in 1204, the Crusaders carried the saint's relics to Marseilles, France as part of the booty of war. From there, "later on, they disappeared and up to the present day they have not been traced."<ref name ="Michaelides"/>

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In the 16th century, a Russian monk from the [[Pskov-Caves Monastery|Monastery of Pskov]] visited St. Lazarus’s tomb in Larnaca and took with him a small piece of the [[relics]]. Perhaps that piece led to the erection of the St. Lazarus chapel at the Pskov Monastery ([[w:Yelizarov Convent|Spaso-Eleazar Monastery, Pskov]]),<ref group="note">{{ru icon}} [http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BE-%D0%95%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8B%D1%80%D1%8C Спасо-Елеазаровский монастырь]. Russian Wikipedia.</ref> where it is kept today.<ref>''[http://www.visitcyprus.com/media/Audio/written_form/St_Lazarus_afigisi_en.pdf St. Lazarus Church & Ecclesiastical Museum, Larnaca].'' Cyprus Tourism Organisation. p.&nbsp;4. Retrieved: 2013-04-17.</ref>

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On November 23, 1972, human remains in a marble sarcophagus were discovered under the altar, during renovation works in the church of [[w:Church of Ayios Lazaros, Larnaca|Church of St. Lazarus]] at Larnaka, and were identified as part of the saint's [[relics]].<ref>''[http://www.visitcyprus.com/media/Audio/written_form/St_Lazarus_afigisi_en.pdf St. Lazarus Church & Ecclesiastical Museum, Larnaca].'' Cyprus Tourism Organisation. p.&nbsp;14. Retrieved: 2013-04-17.</ref><ref group="note">In 1970 a fire that broke out in [[w:Church of Ayios Lazaros, Larnaca|Church of St. Lazarus]] at Larnaka destroyed almost all of the internal furnishings of the church. Subsequent archaeological excavations and renovations led to the discovery of a portion of the saint's relics.</ref>

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In June 2012 the [[Church of Cyprus]] gave a part of the [[relics|holy relics]] of St. Lazarus to a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch [[Kyrill (Gundyayev) of Moscow|Kirill of Moscow and All Russia]], after a four-day visit to Cyprus. The relics were [[Translation (relics)|translated]] to Moscow on [[June 11]], 2012, and were given to Archbishop Arseniy of Istra, who took them to the [[w:Conception Convent|Zachatievsky monastery]] (Conception Convent), where they were put up for [[veneration]].<ref>''[http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/54338.htm ST. LAZARUS' RELICS BROUGHT TO MOSCOW FROM CYPRUS].'' Pravoslavie.ru. Moscow, June 13, 2012.</ref>

Contents

The Lazarene Miracle

According to the Gospel of John, Lazarus lived in the town of Bethany (approximately two miles outside of Jerusalem in the present day West Bank) with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. On His way to Jerusalem before the Passover, the sisters had sent word to Jesus and His Apostles that Lazarus was ill. The Lord tarried where He was, later perceiving Lazarus' death. When He arrived, Lazarus had already been in his tomb for four days. When Martha reproached Our Lord for not arriving sooner, Christ assured her that Lazarus would rise. Martha mistook this for the universal resurrection on Judgment Day, to which He replied, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26, KJV).

In the presence of the mourners, the Lord ordered the stone rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and bade him to come forth. Lazarus did so, still in his grave wrappings. Jesus then called for the crowd to remove the wrappings and free him. St. John goes on to explain that even more Jews were convinced of Jesus' divinity. This event struck fear into the hearts of the Jewish leaders, so much so that they even considered putting Lazarus to death (John 12:9-11). The religious hierarchy of the Jews at this time was dominated by Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. The Raising of Lazarus represents a testimony to the resurrection - both Christ's and the universal resurrection, as well as Our Lord as victor over death.

According to the V. Rev. Fr.Thomas Hopko, the Lazarene Miracle is the "climactic high point" of St. John's Gospel and the proof of Christ's divinity. It is also the act which serves as the catalyst of the events leading to Our Lord's arrest and Passion.[8]

Later Life

Bishop of Kition

According to Scripture and the tradition of the Cypriot church, Lazarus was compelled to seek refuge away from Jerusalem to avoid the anger of the high priests and the pharisees, who wanted to kill him, ...the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus (John 12:10-11). Many Christians too ... were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about. Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch ...; just like Stephen, Lazarus would have had to leave Judea to seek refuge in another country. This location was Kition in Cyprus.

When Apostle Paul and Apostle Barnabas travelled to Cyprus, they ordained Lazarus as the first Bishop of Kition. This is why all episcopal thrones in Larnaca have the icon of St. Lazarus instead of Christ, which is the standard custom of the church.

Another famous tradition related to Lazarus, is the discovery of Mount Athos in 52 AD by the Theotokos. Lazarus was very close to the Virgin Mary and he was very grieved that he could not return to Jerusalem to visit her (he was still in fear of the Jews). The Theotokos learned of his sorrow and sent him a letter to comfort him. She asked that he might send a ship to her that she might visit him in Cyprus. With great joy, Lazarus sent a ship to the Holy Land to bring the Virgin Mary and John, the beloved disciple to Cyprus for a visit. However on their journey, a great storm blew them off course and carried them to the shores of Ephesus and then the ship to the shores of Athos, Greece. Unaware that divine providence had brought her to this area, the Virgin Mary completely taken by the beauty of the area, prayed to her son that this could be her garden devoted to prayer to "fight the good fight of faith". Having converted, blessed and established a new Christian community from the local idolaters they set sail for Cyprus and met with Lazarus.

Tomb of Saint Lazarus in Bethany.

Further establishing the apostolic nature of Lazarus' appointment, was the tradition that the bishop's omophorion and epimanikia were presented to Lazarus by the Virgin Mary, who had woven it herself.[note 5]

Little more is known about Lazarus after Our Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, except that during his thirty years after his resurrection, he never smiled or joked except on one occasion, recorded in the Synaxarion. One day, he saw someone stealing a clay pot and he smiled saying, "the clay steals the clay".[2][9]

After the sacking of Constantinople by the Franks during the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the Crusaders carried the saint's relics to Marseilles, France as part of the booty of war. From there, "later on, they disappeared and up to the present day they have not been traced."[9]

On November 23, 1972, human remains in a marble sarcophagus were discovered under the altar, during renovation works in the church of Church of St. Lazarus at Larnaka, and were identified as part of the saint's relics.[11][note 7]

Notes

↑Kition (Ancient Greek: Κίτιον), also known by its Latin name Citium, was a city-kingdom on the southern coast of Cyprus (in present-day Larnaca). It was established in the 13th century BC. On this basis, the whole island became known as "Kittim" in Hebrew, including the Hebrew Bible. The expression "isles of Kittim", found in the Book of Jeremiah 2:10 and Ezekiel 27:6, indicates that, some centuries prior to Josephus, this designation had already become a general descriptor for the Mediterranean islands.

↑In the Synaxarion of Constantinople and in the Lavreotic Codex, reference is made to the "Raising of Lazarus" - the Holy and Just Lazarus, the friend of Christ. This is confirmed in the entry for October 17 in the Prologue from Ohrid, which also mentions that: "Lazarus's principle feasts are on March 17 and Lazarus Saturday during Great Lent."

↑"...Under today's date is commemorated the translation of his relics from the island of Cyprus to Constantinople. This occurred when Emperor Leo the Wise built the Church of St. Lazarus in Constantinople, and translated Lazarus's relics there in the year 890. When, after almost a thousand years, Lazarus's grave in the town of Kition on Cyprus was unearthed, a marble tablet was found with the inscription: "Lazarus of the Four Days, the friend of Christ.""

↑In 1970 a fire that broke out in Church of St. Lazarus at Larnaka destroyed almost all of the internal furnishings of the church. Subsequent archaeological excavations and renovations led to the discovery of a portion of the saint's relics.